Development for BJP, Hindutva for Modi

This time, in every public meeting, Modi calls the Congress term as ‘‘Mughal Raj’’ and assures voters that he will fight for Hindu rule. He has also slammed the Congress for ‘‘appeasing minorities’’ and blamed them for slow pace of development.

Modi had stormed back to power after the 2002 riots on the Hindutva mantra. But this time, there are many in his party who are squirming, especially those contesting from minorities-dominated areas.

‘‘It becomes tough for us to convince Muslim voters in our constituency,’’ says Ketan Patel, who’s contesting from Dariapur. Of the 61,000 voters in the constituency, over 35,000 are Muslims.

‘‘Of the 129 BJP candidates, 82 are contesting for the first time. The party does not want them to speak on sensitive issues and has asked them to restrict themselves to local issues,’’ says BJP spokesperson Kamlesh Patel.

According to BJP Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Patel, ‘‘Masses expect Modi to give his take on Hindutva. They want to listen to his views on Hindu Rajya. We respect his opinion but not everyone in the party is comfortable speaking on Hindutva.’’

Patel, busy campaigning along with Modi and other leaders, says he prefers to speak about development issues as they affect the ‘‘day-to-day life of the masses.’’

SMany Congress leaders have complained about Modi’s fiery speeches, too, to the State Election Commission and have alleged that the CM is trying to create a communal divide. But then, Modi’s line has its share of fans. ‘‘Hindutva is our core issue,’’ says Harin Pathak, MP. ‘‘Modi speaks for the party boldly. He doesn’t fear criticism and draws large crowds.’’